topic 2 the research process - an overview

8/7/2019 Topic 2 The research Process - An Overview

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Topic 2An Overview of

The research Process

Mohamed Bannaga

3rd year Accounting/ Business/ MIS

Scientific ResearchMethods



Topic Contents

The Research Process: An Overview:

*The Research Process: An Eight-Step Process,*Step 1: Formulating a research problem,

*Step 2: Conceptualizing a research design,

*Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data

collection,*Step 4: Selecting a sample,

*Step 5: Writing a research proposal,

*Step 6: Collecting data,

*Step 7: Processing (analyzing) data,*Step 8: Writing a research report.



The

R

esearch

Jo

urn

ey*Step 1: Formulating a

research problem

Deciding what

*Step 2: Conceptualizinga research design Planning How

*Step 3: Constructing an

instrument for data

collection*Step 4: Selecting a

sample

*Step 5: Writing a

research proposal*Step 6: Collecting data Actually doing

*Step 7: Processing

(analyzing) data

*Step 8: Writing a



Quantitative Vs. Qualitative Research

Quantitative and qualitative Research methodologies

differ in the philosophy that underpins their mode of inquiry as well as, to some extent, in methods, models,

and procedures used.

If your research problem needed qualitative mode of

inquiry, you are most likely to use unstructuredinterviews and observations rather than subjecting your

data to statistical procedures (used for quantitative

research) as your method for data collection.

iff i h i i li i h



Underpinning

philosophy

Rationalism: “The

human beings

achieve knowledge

because of theircapacity to reason”

(Bernard 1994: 2)

Empiricism: “The

only knowledge that

human beings

acquire is fromsensory experiences”

(Bernard 1994: 2)

Approach toenquiry

Structured/rigidpredetermined

methodology

Unstructured/flexible/open methodology

Main purpose of

investigation

To quantify variation

in phenomenon,situation, issue ...

To describe variation

in phenomenon,situation, issue ...

Measurement of

variables

Emphasis on some

form of either

measurement or

classification of

Emphasis on

description of

variables

Difference with

respect to:

Quantitative

research

Qualitative research



Difference with

respect to:

Quantitative research Qualitative research

Focus of inquiryNarrow focus in terms

extent of inquiry, but

assembles requiredinformation from a

greater number of

respondents

Covers multiple

issues but

assembles requiredfrom fewer

respondents

Dominant

research value

Reliability and objectivity

(value-free)

Authenticity but

does not claim to bevalue-free

Dominant

research topic

Explains prevalence,

incidence, extent, nature

of issues, opinions and

attitude; discovers

regularities and

formulate theories

Explores

experiences,

meaning,

perceptions, and

feelings

Analysis of data Subjects variables to

frequency distributions,cross tabulations or other

Subjects responses,

narratives orobservation



Steps in planning a research Study

Step 1: Formulating a research problem This step is the first and most important step in the research

process, it identifies your destination.

It should tell you, your research supervisor and your readers what

you intend to research

The more specific and clear you are the better, as everything that

follows in the research process is influenced by the way in whichyou formulate your research problem.

The main function of this step is to decide what you want to find

about

When formulating your research problem, you should take into

consideration the financial resources you have at your disposal, thetime available, and your own and your supervisor’s expertise and

knowledge in the field of study.

It’s important to identify any gaps in your knowledge of relevant

disciplines, such as statistics required for analysis.



Step 2: Conceptualizing a research design

The main function of a research design is to explain how

you will find answers to your research questions. The research design sets out the logic of your enquiry. It

should include the following: the study per se and the

logistical arrangements that you propose to undertake,

the measurement procedures, the sampling strategy, theframe of analysis and the time frame.

In any research it is important to select an appropriate

research design, a faulty design results in misleading

findings which is equal to wasting human and financialresources.

When selecting a research design it is important to

ensure that it is valid, workable, and manageable.



Step 3: Constructing an instrument for data collection

Anything that becomes a means of collecting information

for your study is called a ‘research tool’ or a ‘research

instrument’. E.g. Observation forms, interview schedules,questionnaires, are all classified as research tool.



Step 4: Selecting a sample The accuracy of your findings depends on the way you select your sample.

The basic objective of any sampling is to minimise, within the limitation of cost,

the gap between the values obtained from your sample and those prevalent in

the population. Sampling theory is guided by two principles:

1. the avoidance of bias in the selection of a sample

2. the attainment of a maximum precision for a given outlay of resources

There are three categories of sampling design:

1. random/probability sampling design 2. non-random /probability sampling design

3. ‘mixed’ sampling design

You need to be familiar with these sample designs to select the one most

appropriate for your study. You need to know the strengths and weaknesses of

each and the situations in which they can or cannot be used The type of sampling strategy determins your ability to generalise from the

sample to the total population and the type of statistical test s you can perform

on the data.



Step 5: Writing a research proposal

The research proposal is when you put

everything together in a way that providesadequate information, for your research

supervisor and others, about your research

study. The research proposal tells a reader

about your research problem and how you are

planning to investigate.

It must tell:

What you are proposing to do;How you plan to proceed;

Why you selected the proposed strategy

Wh t h ld h l



What should a research proposal

contain?Therefore it should contain the following:

1. A statement of the objectives of the study;2. A list of hypotheses, if you are using any;

3. The study design you are proposing to use;

4. The setting for your study;5. The research instrument(s) you are planning to use;

6. Information on sample size and sampling design;

7. Information on data-processing procedures;

8. An outline of the proposed chapters for the report;

9. The study’s problems and limitations;

10.The proposed time-frame.



Step 6: Collecting Data

Having completed the above steps, you

then collect the data from which you willdraw inferences and conclusions for your

study

The method you use to collect the datashould be set in your research design.



Step 7: Processing (analyzing) Data

The way you analyse the information you

collected depends on two things:

1. type of information; descriptive, quantitative,

qualitative

2. the way you want to communicate your findings to your readers



Step 8: Writing a research report

At the final step you inform the world what

you have done; what you have

discovered, and what conclusions you

have drawn from your findings.



Statistical package for social studies SPSS

• Kumar, R. Research

Methodology: a step-by-step

Guide for Beginners, 2nd Edition, Sage Publications, 2005.

topic 2 the research process - an overview

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